As Ladakh Erupts, Sonam Wangchuk's Appeal For Peace

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has appealed to protesters to abandon violent demonstrations

New Delhi:

After protests demanding statehood for Ladakh escalated into violence in Leh, activist Sonam Wangchuk discontinued his hunger strike, stating that his "message of peaceful path failed." "On day 15 of our strike, I regretfully report that multiple incidents of violence, arson and vandalism occurred in Leh today. Two strikers required hospitalization yesterday, which triggered outrage. A bandh was called today, resulting in thousands of young people taking to the streets," he explained in a video message shared on X.

The violent confrontations today resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries.

Mr. Wangchuk described the youth's eruption as a "form of Gen-Z revolution." "They've faced unemployment for five years. This creates conditions for social unrest. There is no democratic outlet here," he noted.

"I urged the youth to reject violence. This undermines my five-year effort. We've conducted strikes and marches peacefully, as violence isn't our approach. I implore the young people with joined hands to engage peacefully with the government. And the government must listen to us. Despite multiple strikes and our march from Leh to Delhi, our voices remain unheard.

VERY SAD EVENTS IN LEHMy message of peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause.#LadakhAnshan pic.twitter.com/CzTNHoUkoC

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 24, 2025"This situation has developed as a result. I urge the government to respond sensitively to Ladakh and the youth to maintain non-violent protest," Mr. Wangchuk added.

An engineer, innovator, and education reformer, Mr. Wangchuk established the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, a campus powered entirely by solar energy without fossil fuels for cooking, heating, or lighting. A Ramon Magsaysay award recipient, he inspired the character Phunsukh Wangdu in the popular film '3 Idiots'.

The picturesque town of Leh witnessed violent confrontations between police and demonstrators this afternoon. Protesters attacked the BJP office in Leh, threw stones at police, and set a police vehicle ablaze. Authorities deployed teargas and conducted a lathi charge to restore order.

Ladakh, formerly part of Jammu and Kashmir state, became a Union Territory when the BJP-led Central government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status and divided it into two Union Territories, including Ladakh.

Initially, this change received positive reception. However, over the past three years, Ladakh has experienced increasing dissatisfaction with Central governance, with residents repeatedly demanding statehood and constitutional protections for their land, culture, and resources.

Ladakhi representatives, including Mr. Wangchuk, have participated in multiple discussions with the Centre, but without resolution. Protesters have four key demands: statehood for Ladakh, inclusion in the Constitution's Sixth Schedule, employment reservation, an independent public service commission, and two parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil. The Sixth Schedule provides for tribal area administration in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram through autonomous district councils, designed to protect tribal rights, cultures, and resources.